The US refused to satisfy all Zelensky's wishes
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was unable to get the United States to provide a number of types of weapons; this does not mean that they will not be provided in the future.
The New York Times writes about this, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
President Volodymyr Zelensky's triumphant visit to Washington ended with a US promise to support Ukraine with billions more dollars, but not what he wanted most: US battle tanks, fighter jets and long-range precision missiles.
The United States has repeatedly said it will not send weapons to Ukraine to fight Russian invading forces. But, as the last 10 months of the war have shown, the limits of US support have shifted in favor of Ukraine, and Mr. Zelensky can still get what he wants,” the publication writes.
It is noted that Zelensky’s trip was a clear demonstration of his strategy of courting and putting pressure on allies.
“He mixed gratitude for the assistance provided by the United States with the growing demand for weapons, knowing that he would not get everything he wanted, but believing that the combination of his constant requests and changes on the battlefield would force Washington to reconsider its own assessments of what Ukraine can obtain additional systems without risking a dangerous escalation with Russia.
The weapons that the United States has so far refused to provide to Ukraine fall into three main categories.
“The first group includes weapons such as long-range missiles called ATACMS with a range of about 190 miles. The administration fears that if Ukraine finds itself in dire enough straits, it could use the missiles to hit targets in Russia, prompting President Vladimir Putin to expand the war.
The second category includes weapons such as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9 Reaper drones, which will allow Ukraine to attack a wider range of targets or locate them for other Ukrainian strikes.
“But Pentagon officials have expressed concern that if these drones are shot down or crash, Russia could seize them and use their advanced technology.
The third category covers weapons such as the Abrams battle tank and F-16 fighter jets, some of the most advanced weapons in the American arsenal. Pentagon officials say Ukraine already has enough tanks and fighter jets from other countries.
More importantly, officials say, the systems take months to learn how to use and require complex maintenance, usually performed by civilian contractors who may not be able to operate safely in Ukraine.
The US refused to satisfy all of Zelensky's wishes.